Karnataka tussle: When Governor Vajubhai Vala was at the receiving end of HD Deve Gowda’s decision

Governor Vajubhai Vala had two claims before him on Wednesday for government formation in Karnataka. He chose to invite the BJP to form government in the state, on the basis that it was the single largest party.

Yeddyurappa was invited by Guv Vala to form govt&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspBCCL

Bengaluru: Governor Vajubhai Vala had two claims before him on Wednesday for government formation in Karnataka. One was submitted by BS Yeddyurappa on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which has won 104 seats in the just-concluded state Legislative Assembly Election 2018. The other was made by Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) combine, which has together bagged 115 seats. JD(S) also has support of the BSP, which won one seat in the elections.

The Governor, however, chose to invite the BJP to form government in the state, on the basis that it was the single largest party. Yeddyurappa has been given 15 days’ time to prove majority in the Assembly. He took oath as CM earlier today.

The events post declaration of Karnataka results have marred the relationship between Governor Vala and the JD(S)-Congress combine, as HD Kumaraswamy of the JD(S) would have become the chief minister had the Governor invited the two parties to form the government in alliance.

It is interesting to note here that way back in 1996, current Governor Vajubhai Vala had been at the receiving end of present JD(S) president HD Deve Gowda’s decision as prime minister.

A report in the Hindustan Times said a BJP government had just managed to prove majority in a floor test in Gujarat Legislative Assembly on September 18, 1996. However, in less than 24 hours, then prime minister Deve Gowda, who was heading the United Front government at the Centre, sent a recommendation to the President to dismiss the state government in Gujarat. He had cited a report from the state governor as the basis of the recommendation.

The then Gujarat BJP chief had called the move a “murder of democracy”, a charge that has been levelled against the BJP and Governor Vala now by the Congress-JD(S) combine.

When the 1996 incident happened, the Gujarat BJP president was Vajubhai Rudhabhai Vala – current Karnataka Governor.

The wheel seems to have turned full circle and the actors in the ‘political drama’ have switched positions.

Karnataka tussle: When Governor Vajubhai Vala was at the receiving end of HD Deve Gowda’s decisionDescription:Governor Vajubhai Vala had two claims before him on Wednesday for government formation in Karnataka. He chose to invite the BJP to form government in the state, on the basis that it was the single largest party. Times Now